The 2026 Financial Services Awards & Rankings Guide
Financial services awards and rankings can have a big impact on visibility and reputation, but not all awards deliver the same ROI. Below, we have compiled the leading financial services awards based on reputation, longevity, and application process. We have prioritized opportunities for US-based companies with no application fee. Wherever available, we have also included a link to start the application process and deadline. Need support with a particular application? Get in touch at team@barkerswan.com. We’re always happy to help.
From Forbes to Barron’s: How to Land on Top Rankings
Although several financial services awards have emerged in recent years, Forbes and Barron’s remain the ultimate prize. We have added Newsweek and and USA Today to our “best of the best” list because of their reach and editorial reputation. These awards place a high value on total assets under management, but boutique advisors can rest assured — there are plenty of opportunities for smaller firms, too.
Barron’s
Barron’s recognizes individual leaders and team/firm leaders in seven total categories, shown below. You can use this form to start the pre-qualification process. Qualified candidates then complete a survey that looks at assets under management (both size and type), practice growth, client retention, and a wide range of qualitative factors, including experience and education. Be mindful of submission dates, which are often months ahead of the publish date. See full methodology here. Here is a complete list of rankings with approximate submission dates based on previous years:
Top 100 Financial Advisors (Late January)
Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams (Mid February)
Top 100 Institutional Consulting Teams (Mid March)
Top 100 Women Financial Advisors (Early April)
Top 100 Independent Advisors (Early July)
Top RIA Firms (Late July)
Top 1200 Financial Advisors (Early October)
Forbes
Forbes publishes a dizzying number of rankings, from its famed 30 Under 30 list to the lesser known Cannabis 42.0. (You can scroll the full list of rankings, sub-rankings, and geographic variations here.) Financial professionals have four main categories:
America’s Top Wealth Advisors
America’s Top Financial Security Professionals
America’s Top Wealth Management Teams
America’s Top RIA Firms
Forbes has a rolling application process, which starts with a survey conducted by Forbes’ awards partner, Shook Research, to determine eligibility. (If you’re completely new to the process, start by creating an account with Shook.) Among other requirements, applicants must have at least 7 years of advisory experience, with more than 50 percent of revenue or premiums with individuals. Note that individual advisors must be nominated by their firm.
Qualified candidates then undergo an extensive application process that examines both quantitative and qualitative factors. Forbes looks at traditional factors such as assets under management, client retention, production data, but the soft metrics like service offerings and community involvement are equally important. Shook stresses that the process is purposely “deep,” meant to determine which advisors offer the best overall experience. See the full methodology here.
USA Today Best Financial Advisory Firms
A relative newcomer, USA Today will publish its fourth annual list of Best Financial Advisory Firms in April 2026. The rankings examine which RIA firms are most “recommended and appreciated,” according to a survey of RIA clients, employees, and financial industry experts. Here’s what interested firms should know:
There is no formal nomination process for consideration. If you’re registered as an RIA, you qualify.
The survey is based on peer-to-peer recommendations, which means you can’t nominate your own firm. Read more about the reasoning in the FAQ shared by USA Today’s data partner, Statista.
In addition to the survey, which heavily values industry reputation, these awards also consider assets under management and other quantitative performance metrics.
During the registration window, which opens in November, you can access the survey here. Outside the window, you can pre-register here.
Newsweek - America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms
Launched in 2024, Newsweek’s list of top financial advisory firms analyzes over 5,000 RIAs to determine the most innovative, ethical, and service-oriented firms. To be considered, SEC-registered firms must manage at least $20 million in assets, have a staff at least three wealth advisors, and work with at least five clients. Advisors and firms are then evaluated based asset asset performance, client performance, adviser expertise, client ratio, breadth of service offerings, and ethical record.
Although Newsweek uses publicly available data to consider all qualified advisors, RIAs can request consideration here.
Editor’s Choice: Top Financial Awards by Category
We curated the awards below to reflect the best opportunities in Wealth Management, Banking, Technology, and Sustainability. Please note that open dates and deadlines are estimated based on previous years. Specific awards categories may change from year to year, particularly in tech categories, so be sure to confirm details directly with the awards body.
Wealth Management
Barron’s Industry Awards, in partnership with the Money Management Institute, recognize firms, rather than individuals or teams. These include asset managers, wealth managers, and solutions providers. The Nomination Guide offers full guidance for entering. (Link to be updated when 2026 awards become available, likely mid-year.)
Deadline: Early June / Fee: None
These RIA-focused awards recognize individuals and firms in more than a dozen categories, ranging from regional “Advisor of the Year” awards to “Excellence in Philanthropy and Community Service.” Use this form to submit yourself, a colleague, or your firm. See full methodology here.
Deadline: Mid-March / Fee: None
Wealth Management Industry Awards
The “Wealthies,” as the WealthManagement.com Industry Awards are known, recognize outstanding achievement in support of financial advisor success. The 25 categories cover all areas of financial support, from marketing to technology. The publication holds a helpful webinar in February called “Top Tips for a Winning Nomination,” which allows applicants and agencies to ask questions and gain real-time feedback.
Deadline: Mid-April / Fee: None
Private Asset Management Awards
Hosted by data company With Intelligence, the Private Asset Management (PAM) Awards recognize the innovation, performance and client service of investment professionals, wealth advisors, legal firms, consultants, and other wealth management service providers with awards in more than 40 categories. Any North American-based fund or service providers can enter.
Deadline: Late October / Fee: None
Five Star Wealth Management Award
These awards recognize RIAs with at least five years of experience. Awards are based on 10 criteria, including ethics, client retention, and assets under management, among others. Self nominations and client nominations are not accepted, but you can nominate a colleague or industry peer here.
Deadline: Rolling / Fee: None
These awards recognize effective use of technology in finance based on three evaluation criteria: demonstrable business benefits, degree of innovation, and technology or implementation excellence. Categories include Model Insurer, Model Bank, Model Risk Manager, Model Wealth Manager, Model Sell Side, and Model Buy Side. Although Celent serves financial institutions, firms need not be client to submit a nomination. The awards have become popular as firms like Morgan Stanley have touted wins.
Deadline: Late January / Fee: None
Known for its research center, Pensions & Investments rewards innovation, education, and excellence in the retirement industry. Categories range from The Excellence & Innovation Awards, to the Eddy Awards, which honor outstanding efforts to educate employees about retirement products. All awards are based on an online nomination form, accessible at the P&I Awards page.
Deadline: Varies by category / Fee: Varies by category
Banking
A Financial Times publication, The Banker seeks to be the authoritative source of global financial analysis. Its Bank of the Year awards honor the best institutions worldwide at the regional and national level. Categories include Investment Banks, Transaction Banks, and Retail & Digital Banks. Banks across all categories can vie for the Financial Inclusion Award and Banking in the Community Award. See full methodology here. Historically, nominations have opened in April, but banks can register interest year-round.
Deadline: Mid-June / Fee: None
Another part of the Financial Times umbrella, the Global Private Banking Awards are affiliated with Private Wealth Management, a publication that analyzes private banks, wealth managers, and regional finance centers. The awards honor the world’s best private banking groups using a data-driven assessment of quantitative factors, while also considering qualitative factors. To request consideration, you can register your interest here.
Deadline: Early May / Fee: None
A publication synonymous with financial leadership awards, Global Finance has recognized the world’s top banks for nearly 40 years. Awards are issued in more than 15 categories, with new awards established periodically to meet modern interests. See all available categories here. The magazine uses publicly available information to assess all banks, but you can improve your chances of winning by submitting an application, which allows you to highlight your strengths. Although criteria differ by category, the magazine universally rewards factors like market share, volume size, and technology investment. Below is a snapshot of select opening dates and deadlines. See full calendar here.
World’s Best Bank (Open: Early November / Deadline: Early February)
World’s Best Financial Innovation Labs (Open: Early December / Deadline: Early March)
AI in Finance (Open: Early February / Deadline: Late April)
Digital Bank Awards, Round 1 (Open: Early February / Deadline: Mid May) - A second round, which appears to be rolling, is based solely on submissions. These awards appear in the December issue.
Best Private Bank Awards (Open: Early June / Deadline: Late August)
International Banker magazine recognizes banks worldwide that drive regional growth opportunities, while maintaining a high level of regulatory compliance and corporate governance. Banks must be nominated by readers to be considered. To nominate a bank, use this form. The awards body uses publicly available information, but may ask shortlisted entries to provide additional material as part of the judging process.
Deadline: Rolling / Fee: None
FinTech & Tech Innovation
Risk.net recognizes excellence in risk transfer markets and risk management through eight awards that primarily focus on energy and technology. The application process involves a submission and subsequent follow-up from the Risk.net editorial team, including pitch meetings. Here are open dates and deadlines for each award:
Risk Awards (Open: Early June / Deadline: Late July)
Risk Market Technology Awards (Open: Early June / Deadline: TBD)
Risk Technology Awards (Open: January / Deadline: February)
Risk Asia Awards (Open: February / Deadline: June)
Risk Energy Awards (Open: February / Deadline: March)
Energy Risk Software Rankings (Open: January / Deadline: May)
Energy Risk Commodity Rankings (Open: January / Deadline: May)
Energy Risk Asia Awards (Open: February / Deadline: June)
Deadlines: See above / Fee: None
Waters Technology offers awards in seven categories that recognize the data, technologies and services used in capital markets participants and not the retail sector. Categories include:
Sell-Side Technology Awards (Open: Mid-January / Deadline: Mid-March)
Buy-Side Technology Awards (Open: Mid-July / Deadline: Mid-September)
Women in Technology Awards (Open: Mid-November/ Deadline: Mid-January)
Inside Market Data & Inside Reference Data Awards (Open: Early June / Deadline: Late July)
Waters Technology Asia Awards (Open: Late November / Deadline: Early March)
Readers’ Choice Waters Rankings (Open: Mid-April / Deadline: Mid-May)
American Financial & Technology Awards (Open: Mid-August / Deadline: Early October)
Deadlines: See above / Fee: None
With JP Morgan Chase and Citi among previous winners, The Banking Tech awards attract the world’s biggest institutions, although categories like FinTech Startup Bank of the Year provide opportunities to smaller candidates, too. To enter, create an account and register here. Entries are based on 200-word synopsis and more 1500-word statement addressing the criteria outlined in each category.
Deadline: Early February / Fee: $345 per entry
Wealth & Finance - FinTech Awards
These awards recognize groundbreaking use of technology, from AI to the blockchain. Any financial institution may apply, and the variety among winners suggest that it may be a good opportunity for smaller or lesser-known firms. Applicants may register interest at any time of year, and firms may nominate themselves, an industry colleague, or even a client. Register interest here.
Deadline: Mid June / Fee: None
Sustainable Finance
Hosted by Environmental Finance magazine, the Sustainable Investment Awards recognize outstanding efforts toward ESG investing. Categories range from Reporting & Research to Thematic Funds, giving firms a wide range of opportunities to compete. The awards even include a designated Boutique category for smaller funds. Applicants may only register interest during the submission window, which opens in March. Learn more about the application process here.
Deadline: Mid April / Fee: None
Global Finance - Sustainable Finance Awards
Hosted by Global Finance magazine, the Sustainable Finance Awards recognize efforts to integrate sustainability into financial practices such as lending and infrastructure. The 16 available categories range from Best Bank for Sustainable Finance to the Circular Economy Commitment Award. In addition to a global winner, judges select a regional winner for most categories. Learn more about the submission process here.
Deadline: Late November / Fee: None
The Digital Banker - Global Sustainable Finance Awards
The Global Sustainable Finance Awards by The Digital Banker recognize financial service institutions that support responsible investment practices across products, services, solutions, projects and initiatives. Nominations are welcome from institutions across the financial ecosystem, from retail banks to FinTech companies and even technology solution providers. Most categories honor a global, regional, and country winner. Learn more about all available categories and how to apply here. Register interest outside the nomination window here.
Deadline: Mid April/ Fee: None
Additional Financial Services Awards
Financial Planning Association Awards (open to members)
Need support with your awards application? We’re always happy to help. Get in touch at team@barkerswan.com to start earning recognition for your achievements.
